1. Let your heart and face express what you are trying to do with your hands. 2. Don’t act, or perform. Be. 3. Highest scores in Presentation (“how effectively the song is brought to life”), and lowest scores in Music (“the song and arrangement, as performed”) 4. “The basses form the foundation for virtually all the chords, and that if they produce a unit sound, the harmonics are already being produced, and that it’s the job of the other parts to merely reinforce the chord harmonics.” (From the judges’ comments to the Lansing chorus, as reported in the Woodshedder, but also said to us.)

The chorus met for dinner Saturday at Griffin Grille. A video recording of the contest set as rehearsed before contest is available at: http://tinyurl.com/qda2qcl

From Director Tom: ONLINE AT www.bigchiefchorus.org Men and Friends of the BCC, Well, what can I say...thank you, thank you and thank you for Vol. 14, No.112 (#169) May 1, 2015 another convention experience. This time, however, we did improve according to the judges (741 points). In fact, the second highest score Pioneer District Convention, Battle Creek for the BCC. You are all to be congratulated for your time, effort, and How sweet it is! most of all the very good performance on stage. A sixth place finish (4 th Both the chorus and the two quartets with Big Chief members – place if you take away the now two plateau 1 groups). Thanks for making Limited Edition and Coda Honor – broke the 60 point barrier, the trek to Battle Creek to represent Pontiac-Waterford Chapter in the scoring between 61 and 62. best of ways. The 61.8 score is the second highest score the chorus has ever To your credit, you are now a chorus that is heavily involved in achieved. Well, in modern history, i.e., since Chris Miller arrived in 1998; the community and performing for the community at large and a we didn’t compete in the years before. (In 2003, a pair of parodies consistent plateau 2 chorus. Thank you, for that tells me that you want scored 63.7.) And 61.4 is the highest that Limited Edition has scored. to be community- minded and yet perform at a high level. Majestyx quartet, the Great Lakes Chorus from Grand Rapids, Thanks again to those who car-pooled, brought chairs, brought and Frontier (college) quartet will be representing the District in apples, oranges, water, and those other unmentioned things that help to Pittsburgh in July. make our chorus run smoothly and accomplish as much as we do. Frontier is composed of Director Aaron Pollard and three It continues to be a pleasure to serve you. How long have I been other members of The Voice Youth Chorus, who will be on our Fall show. with the BCC...?(I really should sign that contract!) The judges praised the chorus’s performance of “Heart of a Let's enjoy (bask in our laurels, a bit) but continue to press on Clown” and “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Some comments: toward learning new music, prepare for summer sing-outs, and our show in the fall. I am excited about our guests and again another creative A memorial celebration was held Saturday, April 18, at Kruse show theme, script and good selection of songs to present to our fans! & Muer’s, Lake Orion. About a dozen Chiefs and ex-Chiefs were part of the group of 65. Bill’s kids and friends spoke about his love, his From VP Roger Holm wonderful parenting, his love of singing, his need to keep moving, his GENTLEMEN: Good job at contest everybody! As we learned saving a man’s life with CPR, his move from Clawson to acreage in the from the judges at our evaluations, we weren't perfect, but we sang well Lake Orion area where he tried to become a gentleman farmer, with and did some very positive things! Thanks to all of us - especially Tom - many animals. for all the effort! His daughter, Leslie, wrote: “For the gentlemen who knew my father in the chorus and the ones who have passed on, you were all an BILL NEVAUX integral part of my dad's life, my mother's life and mine. One of the Bill Nevaux died Saturday, March 28, age 87, greatest gifts both my parents gave me was the love of singing. Thank in Ann Arbor, where he had been living with his son you from the bottom of my heart to all you wonderful barbershoppers since the death of his wife, Candy, in 2011. for that. Bill will be remembered for many things. He With great affection to you all, Leslie Nevaux” played baseball up through Class A sandlot, and for three years in the Army, during which period he met AROUND THE PATCH Candy in Japan. He continued to play baseball into his sixties. He was also an avid golfer, and a crackerjack ping-pong player. He worked as a die-maker and machine builder, in the auto industry, until his retirement in 1993. Bill was active in barbershopping over a period of 50 years. He joined the Oakland County chapter of SPEBSQSA in 1965. Two years later they won the district chorus title under Carl Dahlke, and went to International in Cincinnati. Bill sang in a quartet called The Conchords for two years with Bob McDermott (Bs) (past district president and author of our History of the Pioneer District ), Dick Van Dyke (Br), and Jack Evans (T). He A First for Freddie, introducing two new left barbershopping in 1969 when he moved to Lake Orion. Then he Barberpole Cats – John Cowlishaw and Fred Pioch joined the Pontiac chapter about 1979. This led to singing tenor in a quartet called Model A Four with Bill Dabbs (Br), Bob Woodward Rumored: that Duane Roy shot a 79 on his 79 th birthday. (Bs), and Larry Ornsby (L & chapter president). In the aughts, he sang in

Jackpot (Tom Ford (T), Bill Nevaux (L), John Cowlishaw (Br), Zaven 4-7-8 Melkonian (Bs)). A certain Big Chief reports that he has been using 4-7-8 Bill had seven Men of Note awards, including Fred McFadyen. breathing to deal successfully with his insomniac attacks in the middle of He and Candy were also active in the Church Street Singers. the night. Another Big Chief reports that his wife’s anxiety attack was Bill’s sons Mike and Kevin live in Michigan, and daughter Leslie in soothed by 4-7-8 breathing. Alaska. Quartets Sowles had worked well at promoting the event including Limited Edition ’s name on the electronic entry sign. 4GVN On March 21, 4GVN participated in the “Open Mic Night” Chapter 2015 Performances: 57 gigs to 802,652 people event at the arts center in Milford. The monthly winner of the 18-and- under and the all-ages performances gets invited to the “Milford MEMBERSHIP : (at 50) Memories” community event in early August. Renewals: Jim McMain (4), Duane Roy (6), Fred Pioch (8), Walt We were expecting to do one song, and we have been working Bachmann (14), Bob Legato (16),Bill Holmes (17), Bob on “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” But when we got there, Wayne Wallace (23), Bob Marshall (25), Tom Blackstone (29) found out we could do up to ten minutes. So we found a quiet spot and Due in May: None created a three-song set: “It’s a Good Day,” “Can You Feel the Love Overdue : Mike Doyle, Ted Prueter, Bob Stephenson Tonight?” and “Country Roads.” We got a great reception from the May Birthdays : Gene Downie (4 th ), Bill Dabbs (17 th ), Bill Durham audience, who seemed to especially appreciate hearing pure a cappella (27 th ) after everyone else did a guitar-something. BSOM : (February) 4GVN Although we didn’t win, we needed to get out and sing, and we enjoyed some really good talent at the event. District Greg Moss Dick Liddicoatt On April 16, 4GVN sang in the HERO’s audition at Zukey Lake passed away on the March Tavern in Hamburg Michigan. They were one of the entertainers that 26 in Lake Orion. made it into the Finals June 20 (2:00 p.m.) in the Hamburg Fun Festival. Dick directed the The audience of 150 appreciated them. You can hear two 1-minute clips Oakland County Barbery - of Greg introducing the quartet at 4:32 and part of their performance, Host Chorus in 1966, 1967. “Country Roads,” at 23:04 - at: http://tinyurl.com/oqzzzmg He was also a director of the Pontiac Big Chief Chorus. Limited Edition He was the Baritone Limited Edition performed at the Romeo Graubner District of Left Overs (Art Linde Library, Wednesday evening, April 22, 2015. The hour-long show, 17 (T), Gene Johnson (L), Dick songs, was organized as a world tour (departing on Frank Sinatra’s jet Liddicoatt (Br), Bob Fangert (Bs)) which was the District Senior Quartet from the “Romeo International Airport” – there was a moment of Champion in 1994. consternation in the eyes of the 35 people in the audience as they It was Dick who initiated, in 1965, the “Travelin’ Brown Jug,” looked out through the auditorium window at the April snow showers – which raised funds during “Jug Nights” to help out quartets representing then laughter). Regions “visited” included Acapulco, LA, Malibu, Las the District at International competitions. Vegas, Texas, New Orleans, Mississippi, Jamaica, the Atlantic, the (Source: Bob McDermott’s History of the Pioneer District , and the Serengeti, Normandy Beach, Liverpool, NYC, Memphis, River City, and Pioneer District web site.) Grundy County, with a song attached to each. The people lingered afterward to talk about barbershop, and music in their background, and And this, from Fred McFadyen: give their appreciation for the variety of songs sung. Librarian Glen Born and raised in Fowlerville, he won a baseball scholarship at AS A QUARTET AND PERSONALLY? Western Michigan University, where he earned an accounting degree. IMPROVE YOUR SHOW PACKAGE? He began his successful career with General Motors at Oldsmobile IMPROVE YOUR SOUND? Lansing, and joined the Lansing chapter. A transfer to the Warren Tech LEARN HOW TO SCORE BETTER? Center began his long affiliation with the Oakland County Chapter's All of this and more is possible at the Quartet Boot Camp on July "Barbery Host," (renamed "The Wolverine Chorus" upon the arrival Carl 18 in Okemos, sponsored by the QCA and the Pioneer District! Dahlke). You'll get three sessions of almost 2 hours each with top He loved hunting and fishing and was a fierce competitor in coaches, plus craft sessions that will help you and your quartet be better every sort of contest including a three-peat of the egg toss at Pontiac's singers and performers. Annual Corn Roast. The cost? Just $50 per quartet! An instigator of all manner of mischief as part of the Harrisville Better yet, if you compete in Bush League in September, we will Harmony Weekend activities: Kids Fishing at the Trout Farm, First refund your $50! What a deal!! Communion at Friedricks’ Bar after your campsite setup was complete, We are limited to 15 quartets due to available space. Narrating the legend of Silas McCormick's feud with the Indian Chief To reserve your spot, email Roger Lewis at [email protected] whose son shared a romance with Silas' daughter, all of whom now haunt the woods surrounding camp ground, followed by the "Ghost International Walk" on the Nature Trail. on National TV He is predeceased by his son Michael and survived by daughters Crossroads did our art form proud with their appearance Kathy, Debbie and Carol. on Fox News on April 11, our BHS anniversary. This 2:30 clip includes the tag to “Your First Day in Heaven.” http://tinyurl.com/oz5r5xv Octet Night, May 8 Come one, come 8, or any number in between! MEDIA You are invited to bring yourself (and others) to our first "Crazy The 2015 CARA awards (Contemporary A Cappella Recording …Award) Eights" Octet Contest & (Stag) Fun Night! …have been announced by The Contemporary A Cappella Society Co-sponsored by: The Wayne Harmony Town Chorus & Redford Best Barbershop Album: The Road . OC Times Harmony Club Runner Up: Old Friends . ... Friday May 8, 2015, 8 pm or earlier, $8 Best Barbershop Song: “Not While I’m Around,” Masterpiece ... Redford Jaycee Hall 15585 Beech Daly Rd, Runner-Up: “I Won’t Send Roses,” ... Redford Twp, MI 48239 Wayne and Redford together are trying to revive the old "inter- Saturday Evening Post ’s Brian Beck in the Media chapter programmed fun night" activity meetings, where you can get “As a part of its AHEAD: Retire Your Way series, CNN Money has together and meet people from other chapters, have some food & posted a video segment featuring Brian Beck and current Senior Quartet beverages, do some singing, and enjoy a night of great company and Champion Saturday Evening Post ! While this isn’t Brian’s first entertainment! rodeo (see also: Dealer’s Choice, Side Street Ramblers ), the story highlights the many things we love about being Quartet Boot Camp, July 18 Barbershoppers: singing for a lifetime, creating a musical family, and QUARTETS! finding a passion to pursue. Great work, gents!” Musician finds harmony WOULD YOU LIKE TO SING BETTER? in retirement – CNN Money Jim had always sung in church … choirs, but his relocation to …opened for The Sing-Off Tour in Louisville, KY on March 25th. Independence Twp after re-marrying http://tinyurl.com/q8hy6kw made the choir at Woodside Bible Church in Troy less feasible, and made History the Big Chief Chorus more accessible. Trips this summer? A weekend The Great American Songbook trip to Mackinac Island is a tradition We use the term. What does it mean? (they stay at the Island House Inn). The Great American Songbook is the canon of the most They are pondering an Alaskan cruise important and most influential American popular songs of the 20th with a friend, a California minister of century – principally created for Broadway theatre, musical theatre, and the Gospel. Hollywood musical film in the United States. Written from the 1920s to Jim is envious of the guys that the 1950s, recorded and performed by a wide range of musicians, these get up and quartet and is ready to do it songs are considered of enduring popularity. himself. Since the late 20th century, there has been renewed interest in the Songbook, with performances and recordings by artists generally Executive Board Meeting , Feb 12, 2015 considered part of the rock and pop music scene. In addition, various jazz Minutes by Charlie Perry, (Excerpts) artists continue to perform these songs. Many commentators believe Members present: Pioch, Holm, Doig, DeNio, Perry, Domke, Sturdy, that certain songs by late 20th century composers should also qualify to Owens and Teuber. be included in the Songbook, even if circumstances of the musical Treasurer’s Report: Available funds $13,658. Balance netted from show environment have changed. was $7,206. There is even a Great American Songbook Foundation, founded Show ticket pricing to be decided April-May. in 2007. Michael Feinstein's lifetime interest in, and immense knowledge Discussion about advertising for new members in local newspapers. of, the music of the Great American Songbook led him to found it. Decision on contest attire New Music: “Hard Day’s Night,” “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” What’s Up, Jim McMain? “Wonderful World” Barbershopper of the Month - 4GVN. Jim McMain has been a Chief for almost four years now, singing Bass. He stays quite busy as a school bus driver in the W. Bloomfield school district. He also does taxes for H & R Bloch during tax season. Thought for the Day: (From Marti Lovejoy) Although he was a manufacturing engineer during his professional life, There are two things you never want a member of your chapter he always enjoyed doing his own taxes, so he took a course in Utica and to think: joined the tax office there. 1) They won't miss me if I stay home. After his first wife died in the 1980s, Jim married Penny. 2) If I stay home this week, I won't miss anything. Together they have 11 children, 22 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. We met one of his four sons, Jim Jr, from Texas, when he visited us last year. CALENDAR, (With Performance Times; Warm-ups 30’- 45’ earlier) Apr 28, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC May 5, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC May 8, F, 1:00 Elmhaven Manor, Mother’s Day 2:30 Lockwood of Waterford 7:30 Octet Night, Redford May 12, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC May 19, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC May 21, Th Exec Bd Meeting May 26, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC May 30, Sa Great Lakes Harmony Brigade show, Okemos Jun 2, T, 7:00 BCC Practice, WOAC Jun 23, T, 5:30 Flint’s Dead Creek Picnic (Bus at 5:30) Jun 27, Sa, 3:00 Log Cabin Days, Waterford Jul 1-5 BHS International, Pittsburgh Jul 18 Quartet Boot Camp, Okemos Jul 26 – Aug 2 Harmony University, Belmont Univ., Nashville, TN Nov 7, Sa, 7:00 71 st BCC Show “BCC Does the Grammys”

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP Director: Thomas Blue (248-814-9627) Assistant Directors: Fred McFadyen, Mike Frye, & Bill Holmes President: Jack Teuber (248-334-3686) Past President: Doc Mann (248-628-0189) VP: Chapter Dev: Eric Domke VP: Music and Performance: Roger Holm VP: Marketing & PR: Open Secretary: Charlie Perry Treasurer: Jim Owens Members at Large - Fred Pioch, Ray Sturdy, Jeff Doig, Walt DeNio Chorus Manager: Gene Downie Captain Sunshine: Bill Maxfield Section Leaders: McFadyen, Stephenson, Cowlishaw, Moss Music Team: Holm, Blue, Cowlishaw, Doig, Frye, McFadyen, Moss, Murray, Prueter, Stephenson, Mazzara Bulletin Editor: John Cowlishaw, (248-891-4498)